Military Fiction (Ch 1)

I've been out training for awhile, so I've been off the boards for some time. I have a couple weeks off so hopefully I'll have time for some more posts. Hope ya'll enjoy.

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It has been about four years since the prison break on the island. The majority of the escapees fled the city and took up residence in villages or banded together to create their own. I roamed the countryside of the island helping establish resistance against the ever growing government. I also spent time in the city gathering information. Rumors circulated that for a fee you could find a daring captain to take you to the main land. This appealed to me. I wanted to return and find my friends that I had been separated from when we were arrested. No doubt it would be a risky endeavor, but what would life be without risks.

The docks were quiet that night. The storm that was brewing in the gulf had forced all the sailors to the taverns. There were so many boats that would have been so easy to commandeer, but that was not my purpose. I walked cautiously past the extravagant vessels of government officials and military leaders to the far end of the docks where the yachts vanished and smaller salvaged lifeboats and dinghies appeared. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I spotted it. It was an unassuming salvaged coast guard patrol boat; all the paint had been worn by years of neglect and exposure. However, I could still faintly see the name “Escape” across the side. I saw the captain as lightning struck over the water. He was an older man, completely gray, with a full beard and long hair in disarray. His sole companion was a youthful German shepherd, standing guard at the rear of the boat. He growled as I approached. It’s time to see if the code was worth the price I paid.

“Good evening, sir. This is some delightful weather we’re having.”

He carefully scanned the docks before he responded, “Indeed it is, but it is strange for me to have a visitor this late.”

“Permission to come aboard?”

“Granted, make yourself at home.” He motioned to a wooden bench on the side of the boat, and I sat down.

Everything worked smoothly. This was the man I needed to see. It was time for negotiations. I knew intimidation would not have any effect on this man. I could tell he had seen more hardships than I could imagine. His skin was tough and leathered from years of hard labor on the sea. He wore an old, faded army jacket with insignia from a unit that was disbanded long before I had entered the service. If anything, I was at his mercy since this was the only secure route to the main land.

“Captain Logan, I presume.” He nodded.

“Good, then you know why I am here, and we can get straight to business. I will be traveling alone, one bag, and my personal arsenal.” I mentioned weapons to imply what type of business I was in. “I have no money and was hoping we could work out some kind of arrangement.”

“I see,” he said with hint delight in his voice. “I have two conditions and we will have a deal. First, you supply the food for this trip.”

“That’s simple enough. I hope you have something more challenging for the second part.”

“Let me explain my situation. I usually take people half way then I pass them off to another crew that secures their entry into the country. Recently I have suspected that my counterparts are conspiring with the new government to shut down smugglers such as myself. When we link up for the exchange, I want you to kill the crew. I’ll be able to take their boat, expand my operation, and sell this boat to cover the price of transporting you. It is a win-win situation.”

Everything I knew about negotiations said you never take the first deal, but this sounded too easy. I answered hastily with little thought to planning. “We have a deal, but I’ll need a week to gather supplies and handle some business.”

“That is expected. You have five days before I leave, and now you know where to find me.”

With that, he returned to whatever work he was doing prior to my arrival. I had to hurry if I was going to meet the deadline.

I returned to my make-shift shelter outside the main city and packed everything. I was currently living in small poncho shelter, and all my materials had been scavenged when I helped a local village ambush a military transport. I was able to fit everything in my rucksack with ease. The next five days were going to be rushed at best. I needed to head out immediately. I could rest once I got things underway.

My first stop was to see Doc Johnson. There was going to be a shootout, and I wanted to make sure I had supplies if something went wrong. Doc had been with me in prison. He had been locked up for giving medical aid to the rebels. He was a young doctor, straight out of medical school, when he was locked up. Over the past years, he had been supplying me with medical aid, and I gave him supplies I managed to loot from the city. I arrived as the morning guards were taking their posts.

The town was a simple place. The buildings resembled poorly built log cabins with pieces of cloth for doors. The only places that were completely secure were the clinic and the armory. There was a primitive wooden wall that limited access to three entrances, all of which were guarded. The guards knew me well since I had founded the force and let me through without incident. Doc spotted me as I approached the clinic.

“Come in. It is about time you visited me. So what brings you to this part of the island today?” He smiled and shook my hand.

“Well, Doc, I have to admit I’m here for purely selfish reasons. I’ve found a way off the island and need supplies and food. I know you go to the market tomorrow and was hoping you could charge a little more…”

“Stop right there. I’m insulted; you should know better than to ask me to cheat people, especially in times that are so hard. You know many people are in your debt for getting them out of prison. I’ll make you a deal. Stay here and watch the clinic while I’m at the market and I’ll take in donations for you.”

“Thanks, Doc.” I said slightly embarrassed.

I slept well that night. It was the first time in months that I had a bed. I didn’t bother getting up early because there was not much to do as the fill-in doctor. That day passed slowly as my mind dwelled upon the upcoming events. Questions raced through my mind: What if Captain Logan was setting me up? What will the main land be like after so many years? Will I be able to locate my comrades? What will Doc Johnson bring back for me? One by one my questions would be answered, though some sooner than others.

No one knew what the mainland was like. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what to expect. I hoped everything would be the same as when I left. The economy wasn’t the greatest five years ago, so I didn’t think there was any way it could have gotten worse. I had heard rumors the land was desolate and the inhabitants lived in villages throughout a barren wasteland. All I had to do was wait and I would find out.

At dusk, Doc trudged up the path along with two other men and more supplies and food than I would need for three trips to the main land and back. As well, he brought a few guns and ample ammo. I ran to meet him and help carry the load.

“How can I ever repay you for all this?” I asked humbly. “This is several months of work and savings.”

“You owe me nothing, but all this comes from the people that you have helped so much. They ask for nothing in return, but I ask you not to forget their kindness when you are established across the gulf. If you can, return and take some of these people to a better place.”

“I will not forget these people or your request,” I said gratefully, “I have one last request. Come with me to the docks tomorrow, so that you can be a witness to the villages that there is a way out. You will be able to reassure them that I will return.”

“I will do that,” he said. “The people will be encouraged when I tell them.”

We left early the next morning. The trip was quiet and somber. We both knew that the slightest problem could result in my death. The people had faith in me, up until now I had never let them down. However, I had no intentions of returning, but I would never tell Doc that. The people needed hope, and that was all I could offer them.

We got to the boat and got it loaded with a day to spare. Doc went on his way after a brief good-bye. I hurried to an old abandoned bunker that I had been using to store my extra weapons and supplies. I removed all the weapons needed for the mission. Grenades, C-4, and a .50 sniper rifle would be more than enough to overthrow the crew and provide security once I landed. I returned under the cover of darkness to the boat.

We set off at first light. I had one goal for this trip: I needed to find out as much as possible about this crew I was going to have to execute. “So tell me, Captain, what will I be facing when we meet for the exchange?”

“They sail a yacht with a crew of about six; all are armed. There are three mounted .50 machine guns, two in the rear and one in the front. More times than not, they are not manned. We have been doing business long enough that they trust me. They will be anchored and we will tie off to them and be boarded. That is when the hand off takes place.”

This gave me plenty to think on for the remainder of the trip. I needed a strategy. Two things came to mind: First, I could wait for them to board us, then use close quarters combat to take out those on our boat. Next, I would board the yacht and clear it. The problem with this is I could easily be overpowered if too many came aboard for the exchange. My other option was to try to pick off the crew at a distance. The problem with this idea was clear: If they got to even one of those machine guns, the game would be up for us. I continued to think on this until we came into view of the yacht.

There were two men armed with assault rifles on the deck waiting for us, and a sniper on the roof staring straight at us. The ladder was already lowered to show right where to go. We pulled up beside them and started tying off when I decided what had to be done. I hurried up the ladder with my M4 carbine to start clearing the boat. When I reached the deck, the two men were still securing the ropes. Too easy…two down, four to go. I turned to take out the man on the roof but he was gone. I headed to the bridge…no one. That was when I heard two gun shots…Logan. I raced back to deck and peered over the side. There was the sniper standing over Logan’s body. I emptied my clip into him without thinking and went down to check on Logan. He had two holes through his head; there was no use for first aid. His dog had been tied up. This most likely saved his life since he couldn’t attack the shooter.

I finished clearing the boat. It seemed like only three people came today. There was only one thing left to do. I moved all the supplies and weaponry to the yacht and the bodies to Logan’s boat. I went over to the now whimpering German shepherd to untie him. He had on a metal collar with the name Toby on a gold medallion. I helped Toby onto the yacht and wired the smaller boat with C-4 and a timer, then sailed away. I found the captain’s log and map. Their base of operations was in the port town of Oasis. It was about a day-long trip.

As I approached the town, I could see how it got its name. There was about a two mile stretch green vegetation with buildings dispersed throughout. It appeared to be surrounded by a wall. Past the wall was a barren desert. It looked like the rumors were right. My first order of business was to trade the boat and get a vehicle. Time for more negotiations…